Role of an Endogenously Synthesised Sterol in Regulating Cholesterol Removal from the Macrophage

心脏病仍然是澳大利亚人的最大杀手，涉及动脉壁胆固醇的积累。胆固醇积聚在一种称为巨噬细胞的特定细胞类型中（字面意思是“大食者”）。一旦巨噬细胞积累胆固醇，它们就会变成肿胀的充满胆固醇的泡沫细胞。泡沫细胞在病变动脉中的早期和持续出现表明泡沫细胞在心脏病的发展中是积极的参与者。因此，预防或逆转它们的形成是治疗心脏病的新疗法的一个有吸引力的目标。在本提案中，我们解决了一些具体问题，这些问题将增加我们对如何最好地防止或逆转泡沫细胞形成的理解。这项工作可能为对抗心脏病提供新的治疗可能性。

Heart disease remains the greatest killer of Australians and involves accumulation of cholesterol in the artery wall. Cholesterol accumulates in a specific cell-type called the macrophage (literally means ' big-eater'). Once macrophages accumulate cholesterol, they become bloated cholesterol-filled foam cells. The early and persistent appearance of foam cells in diseased artery suggests that foam cells are active participants in the development of heart disease. Prevention or reversal of their formation is therfore an attractive target for new therapies to treat heart disease. In this proposal, we address specific questions which will increase our understanding of how best to prevent or reverse foam cell formation. This work may indicate new therapeutic possibilities for combating heart disease.